That's interesting, but it's almost the opposite for me. I get way drunker in a bar because the environment is inviting and it's easier to order another drink at the bar than to get up and get it myself. The bartender typically sees when you are getting low and offers another drink.
I would also spend way more money on gambling when at a location to do so. The desire to bet on sports on my phone is really low because it's boring so I won't do more than enough to make a game interesting.
When I used to have to make an effort to get things that are now legal but previously illegal I would be much more compelled to make that effort to avoid having to do it in the future when I wanted the thing. Which inevitably would lead to more doing of the thing. Now that I know I can get it anytime I don't actually care about it.
I think maybe you aren't the target market. Just like I don't understand my friends who somehow sink hours and hours into pay to win games.
There are fake games, and even leagues, made specifically for people to bet on. To me there is no appeal, but I'd expect to someone gamblign there must be some appeal. See this article, there have been cases in cricket, but I know less about that game. https://josimarfootball.com/2024/10/21/childs-play/
I tend to agree with the parent that friction is useful for many 'sin activities' I might extend this to most drive through restaurants. For gambling having to go to a casino, a racetrack, or a bookkeeper who isn't legal all act as points where users drop out of the process. Having it on your phone is always available and the path of a user can be modified to get them to spend/bet more.
I've actually never seen a physical sportsbook where employees walk around asking for bets like a cocktail waitress. I assume there's some good reason because you're right that you would expect doing it that way would encourage more betting.
Horse racecourses have physical on site betting, because that's what the sport is for, but it's usually behind a desk rather than walking around. I'm not sure whether the old ambulatory bookies still exist.
I would also spend way more money on gambling when at a location to do so. The desire to bet on sports on my phone is really low because it's boring so I won't do more than enough to make a game interesting.
When I used to have to make an effort to get things that are now legal but previously illegal I would be much more compelled to make that effort to avoid having to do it in the future when I wanted the thing. Which inevitably would lead to more doing of the thing. Now that I know I can get it anytime I don't actually care about it.